Thomas Bridge 03 July 2015

Video reveals 12-month cat-and-mouse game between council and graffiti artist

A graffiti artist has filmed his year-long battle against council cleaning crews who scrubbed off his ‘experiment’ on an east London wall 11 times.

Street artist Mobstr noticed the wall in Hackney Wick where graffiti outside a red painted section was scrubbed off through a different technique to that on the un-painted brickwork.

This led Mobstr to spray the word ‘red’ on painted sections, with each phrase being replaced by another as council crews cleaned the wall.

The artist gradually inched the words towards the un-painted brickwork, before painting ‘red?’ and then ‘pressure wash?’ on sections devoid of the crimson hue.

Click here to watch the picture montage.

At one point Mobstr even highlighted a section of graffiti that hadn’t been cleaned off the wall by town hall employees, spraying ‘what about this?’ alongside a large arrow.

The council ultimately covered the entire wall with the scarlet tint, prompting a final farewell from Mobstr: ‘Well, that’s one way to end it. Thanks mate, it’s been fun.’

‘I cycled past this wall on the way to work for years, I noticed that graffiti painted within the red area was “buffed” with red paint. However, graffiti outside of the red area would be removed via pressure washing,’ Mobstr said.

‘This prompted the start of an experiment. Unlike other works, I was very uncertain as to what results it would yield.’

A Tower Hamlets Council spokesperson said: 'Graffiti clean up each year costs approximately £200,000, with this particular incident costing £600. Graffiti can reduce property value and depress economic development so removal is dealt with quickly and where possible, perpetrators are prosecuted by the police.

'The council is developing an anti-defacement policy that recognises that high quality street art can benefit our communities and enhance the general street scene.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Assistant Director Children’s Partnerships and Sufficiency

North Yorkshire Council
£100,545 to £111,533 plus relocation support  
North Yorkshire is England’s largest county and a beautiful, vibrant place to live and work. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate & Communities

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils
£146,697
As Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate & Communities, you will guide cultural transition, manage competing priorities Oxfordshire
Recuriter: South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils

Residential Support Worker - Development Programme

Durham County Council
£26,403 - £28,598
Residential Support Workers – Temporary 12 Month development opportunity Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Domestic Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,796 - £25,185 pro rata p.a
If you are someone who takes pride in creating clean, safe, and welcoming environment and enjoy making a difference in people’s daily lives through at Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Cleaning Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 1 £24,796 p.a. pro rata to hours worked (£12.85 per hour)
Are you looking for work that fits around your schedule and lifestyle? A permanent post is available at The Grove Primary School, Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner